Shanghai City currently has 3 major railway stations; Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai South Railway Station.

It is important that you go to the correct station to catch your train as they are all quite far apart from one another. In particular, it is easy to confuse Shanghai Railway Station with the Shanghai South Railway Station.

Please ensure you communicate correctly with your taxi driver and that the station name is what is printed on your train ticket.

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Hongqiao Railway Station is the latest and most modern railway station in Shanghai. It is located in Shanghai’s Changning District and forms part of the Hongqiao Comprehensive Transportation Hub together with the Hongqiao International Airport. The train station is linked and within walking distance to the Terminal 2 of Hongqiao International Airport.

Hongqiao Railway Station primarily serves the high-speed railway line such as Shanghai-Nanjing and Shanghai-Hangzhou High Speed Railway lines. The upcoming Shanghai-Beijing High Speed Line will also starts from this station.

For inner city transfer within Shanghai, the Hongqiao Railway Station is conveniently linked and within walking distance to the similar-named Shanghai Metro’s Hongqiao Railway Station of Metro Line 2 and 10. It is also served by numerous bus lines and taxis.

Train Tickets

Train tickets may be purchased a few days in advanced at the self-serving ticket kiosks or the conventional ticket counters at the respective railway stations.

Alternatively, trains tickets are also available on sales at designated sales locations throughout Shanghai City. Most large hotels will also help their guests to purchase the required train tickets if communicated in advance.

Standing Tickets

A category of train tickets known as the Standing Tickets are available for trains in China. Passengers who purchased this relatively cheaper category of tickets are not allocated a seat. Instead they are allowed to stand in between carriages for the duration of the journey. This is common during peak periods when seated train tickets are sold out.

Peak Periods

Trains and train stations in China are notoriously crowded during long public holidays when migrant workers and students return to their hometowns. In particular, during the Lunar New Year in January / February period, heavy snowfall might cause further delay in train schedules. It is strongly recommended that you factor in possible delays in your travel plan should you wish to make a trip during these peak periods. Traveling during these peak periods is also a very tiring and energy-sapping experience for elder folks and young children.